Engagement
Ring Guide
Choosing an engagement ring is one of the most meaningful purchases you will ever make. This guide walks you through the key decisions — from budget and style to stones and sizing — so you can feel confident in your choice.
At Aardvark Jewellery, we help couples find and create engagement rings from our workshop in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Whether you already have a clear idea of what you want or you are starting from scratch, we are here to help. If you are feeling uncertain about where to start, you are not alone — most people have very little experience buying an engagement ring.
Setting Your Budget
You may have heard the old rule about spending three months’ salary on an engagement ring. Forget it. That idea was invented by a diamond marketing campaign in the 1930s, and it has no bearing on what makes a ring meaningful or beautiful.
The right budget is whatever you are genuinely comfortable spending. A well-chosen ring at any price point can be stunning — it is about the quality of the craftsmanship and the thought behind it, not the size of the stone. Our engagement rings typically range from around £800 to £6,000, and we work with every budget to find something that feels right.
Choosing a Style
The setting — how the stone is held in place — defines the overall look of the ring. Here are the most popular styles to consider:
Solitaire
A single stone in a simple setting. The solitaire is the most classic engagement ring style and lets the quality of the centre stone speak for itself.
Halo
A centre stone surrounded by a ring of smaller diamonds. The halo adds sparkle and makes the centre stone appear larger — popular for maximum impact.
Trilogy
Three stones set side by side, traditionally representing the past, present, and future. Mix stone shapes or colours for a personal touch.
Cluster
Multiple stones grouped together to create an artistic display of colours and shapes — a wonderful way to achieve an eye-catching look.
These are just the starting points — there are many more settings and variations to explore. For a deeper look at each option, see our Ring Styles & Settings Guide.
Choosing Your Stone
The centre stone is often the first thing people notice, so it is worth taking the time to understand your options. Diamonds remain the most popular choice, but sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other coloured gemstones are increasingly sought after for their character and individuality.
If you are considering a diamond, you will want to familiarise yourself with the Four Cs — cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight. Of these, cut has the greatest influence on how a diamond looks to the eye, so it is generally worth prioritising cut quality over sheer size.
Lab-grown diamonds are another option worth considering. They are chemically and optically identical to natural diamonds, typically cost significantly less, and are an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings.
For a thorough breakdown of what to look for, see our Gemstone Buying Guide.
Choosing a Metal
The metal you choose affects the ring’s appearance, durability, and how it wears over time. The two most popular options for engagement rings are gold and platinum.
Gold is available in yellow, white, and rose finishes. Yellow gold is warm and traditional; white gold has a contemporary, silvery appearance; and rose gold offers a distinctive, romantic hue. Gold engagement rings are typically crafted in 9, 14 or 18ct.
Platinum is naturally white, extremely durable, and hypoallergenic. It develops a soft patina over time that many people find attractive. It is denser than gold, which gives it a satisfying weight on the finger.
For a detailed comparison of metals and their properties, see our Precious Metal Guide.
Getting the Right Size
Getting the ring size right is important, but it does not need to be stressful. If you are planning a surprise proposal, here are a few discreet ways to find out:
- Borrow a ring your partner already wears on that finger and bring it to a jeweller for measurement.
- Ask a close friend or family member — they may already know, or can find out without raising suspicion.
- Try the ring on your own finger while your partner is not looking, and note where it sits.
We offer a free ring sizer by post, which is one of the simplest ways to get an accurate measurement at home. Just get in touch and we will send one out to you. And if the ring does need resizing after the proposal, that is something we can usually sort out quickly and easily.
The Bespoke Option
If you cannot find exactly what you are looking for, or if you want something truly one-of-a-kind, our bespoke service lets you design a ring from the ground up. Every bespoke piece is handcrafted in our own workshop in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, so you are working directly with the people who make your ring.
Bespoke does not have to mean expensive. Because we manufacture in-house, there are no middlemen — you get a ring made exactly to your specification, often for less than you might expect.
The process starts with a conversation — either in our showroom or over the phone — where we discuss your ideas, preferences, and budget. From there, we create a design, source the stones, and craft the ring by hand. Most bespoke engagement rings take around six to eight weeks.
To learn more, see our jewellery manufacturing process.
Key Takeaways
Budget freely — forget the “three months’ salary” rule. Spend what feels right for you.
Prioritise cut — of the Four Cs, cut has the greatest impact on how a diamond sparkles.
Try styles in person — a ring can feel very different on the hand than it looks on screen.
Consider bespoke — in-house manufacturing means bespoke is more affordable than you might think.
Don’t stress sizing — we can resize most rings quickly after the proposal.